Plans have been unveiled for a multi-million pound road improvement project in West Sussex.

The scheme along the A27 through Arundel is one of three developments for the A27 being taken forward by Highways England, including upgrades between Worthing and Lancing and to the East of Lewes.

Three options for upgrading the road are being put forward, valued between £135m and £260m, including two proposed new routes for the A27 to the south of the town and one proposal widening the A27 mostly along its existing route.

Each scheme would join up the two existing sections of dual-carriageway either side of Arundel to reduce journey times, improve reliability and make the road safer:

• Option 1: A new dual-carriageway from Crossbush junction, passing to the south west of Arundel railway station, re-joining the existing A27 east of Ford Road, which will be widened to a dual carriageway. This option also includes improvements at Crossbush junction, new bridges over the railway line and the River Arun and a new pedestrian/cycle path from Crossbush junction.


• Option 3: A new dual-carriageway from Crossbush junction, south of the current A27, rejoining the A27 at a new junction near Havenwood Park. This option also includes improvements at Crossbush junction, new bridges over the railway line and the River Arun and a new pedestrian/cycle path between Crossbush junction and Yapton Lane.

• Option 5A: A new dual-carriageway following the same route as option 3 between Crossbush junction and Ford Road. From Ford Road the route continues west passing between the South Downs National Park and Binsted Woods, re-joining the existing A27 at a new junction near Yapton Lane. This option also includes improvements at Crossbush junction, new bridges over the railway line and the River Arun and a new pedestrian/cycle path between Crossbush junction and Yapton Lane.

A public consultation on the proposals has been launched today, 22 August and will run until 16 October. A decision on the preferred route will be made this winter.

Subject to a successful outcome, construction could start as early as 2021 and take around two years to complete.

Highways England programme manager Valerie Stephens said: "The single carriageway A27 through Arundel has been a missing link in the road network for decades. Now, major improvements are finally within reach.

"People's input will be vital in finding the right way forward, and I encourage anyone with an interest in the A27 to get involved – whether they're commuters, or live nearby, depend on it for business or to keep in touch with friends and family or use it to access one of the many leisure destinations along the south coast."

(LM/MH)